It Is Not Too Late to Upgrade Your Devices but Waiting Any Longer Could Cost You
With device prices rising and PC sales forecast to fall sharply in 2026, it might be tempting for businesses to hit pause on upgrades altogether. Many organisations are already stretching device lifecycles and trying to squeeze a bit more life out of ageing kit.
But here is the thing: now may be the last sensible IT procurement window to upgrade before costs climb even higher and options become more limited.
Memory Prices Are the Real Troublemaker
The biggest driver behind the slowdown in PC sales is the soaring cost of memory. Analysts at Gartner predict that prices for DRAM and solid‑state drives (SSDs) will rise by around 130% by the end of 2026, pushing up the overall cost of new devices across the board.
As a result, average PC prices are expected to increase by around 17%, with smartphones also seeing double‑digit price rises compared to 2025.
While some of these increases are already being felt, the worst of the impact is still ahead. That means organisations upgrading later in 2026 could be paying noticeably more for the same hardware.
PC Sales Are Falling but That’s Exactly the Warning Sign
Global PC shipments are expected to drop by around 10% in 2026, marking the lowest level of device shipments in over a decade.
Sounds like a reason to delay purchases. It is a warning light.
Lower sales volumes usually lead to:
- Fewer device options
- Less availability of entry‑level models
- Longer lead times for popular hardware
In short, waiting too long could mean higher prices and fewer choices when you finally do need to upgrade.
Stretching Device Lifetimes Only Works for So Long
There is no doubt businesses are hanging on to devices for longer. Gartner expects PC lifespans to increase by around 15% for business users and up to 20% for consumers by the end of 2026.
That might help manage budgets in the short term, but it is not a long‑term fix.
Older devices:
- Are more likely to struggle with modern software.
- Miss performance and efficiency gains
- Increase the risk of security vulnerabilities.
- Place extra strain on IT teams trying to keep them running.
At some point, delaying upgrades stops saving money and starts creating risk.
This problem is only getting worse as AI‑driven software and security platforms demand more memory, faster storage, and newer operating systems to run safely and effectively.
Devices that were fine a few years ago simply were not built for today’s AI‑heavy workloads, leaving gaps in cyber protection and putting sensitive data at risk.
For UK organisations, stretching device lifetimes too far can quickly turn into a security liability rather than a cost‑saving exercise.
Entry Level Devices Are Disappearing Fast
One of the biggest changes on the horizon is the decline of budget PCs. Memory is expected to make up around 23% of a PC’s total build cost, up from 16% just a year earlier.
That makes low‑cost devices much harder to produce profitably. Analysts now expect sub‑£500 PCs to largely disappear by 2028, pushing buyers towards more expensive models or refurbished alternatives.
For businesses that rely on affordable, standardised hardware, this is another reason not to delay. The longer you wait, the fewer budget‑friendly options there will be.
Why Now Is the Right Time to Act
While prices are rising, there is still a window of opportunity. Vendors are currently trying to balance margins with sales volumes, which means competitive deals and availability still exist – for now.
Upgrading sooner rather than later can help organisations:
- Lock in current pricing before further increases
- Secure device availability while choice is still broad.
- Reduce the security risks of ageing hardware.
- Avoid rushed, reactive purchases later on
Put simply, it is not too late to upgrade – but you cannot afford to wait much longer.
For businesses planning refresh cycles in 2026, the message is clear, act while you still have choice, control, and leverage, before the window closes.
Sources
- ITPro – Device shipments and memory cost analysis [itpro.com]
- Gartner – Global PC and smartphone shipment forecast for 2026 [gartner.com]
With over 15 years at Speedster IT, I’ve built a career around helping businesses navigate the evolving world of technology. I publish all the content for the IT Support London Blog and Cyber Security Blog, where I share practical insights on infrastructure upgrades, cybersecurity trends, and smart IT strategies for growing companies.
